Hi, my name is jenna and I was diagnosed with schizoeffective disorder (which is schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). i also have anxiety disorder. i was diagnosed with the schizo part 5 years ago when i ended up in the emergency room with ovarian cancer and later went through chemo. strangely enough i graduated school with a psychology degree and worked with people who were previously my counselors or clients who i went to program with. i had literally lost my mind when i got cancer and was institutionalized, with horror stories, i might add and somehow succesfully got through.

I recently found out that i am now 7 weeks pregnant. it was a miracle since i only have one ovary and thought i couldnt get pregnant. two months before i started seeing a doctor who treats mental illnesses with vitamins. i started taking a bunch of vitamins, while also taking my medication from the psychiatrist . which is wellabutrin xl, seroquel, lamictal and clonazepam.i know that clonazepam is not safe and wellabutrin is relatively safe but lamictal and seroquel were not sure. Can anyone please tell me if these two medications are safe to take during pregnancy???? i recently cut down on my lamictal, stopped my clonazepam and dramatically regained symptoms of mania, anxiety leading to seeing things again and am scared. my gynecologist told me to stop taking all the vitamins and just take one prenatal vitamin. most psychologists dont agree with vitamin therapy but ii think with the combo of my meds i was doing great. now i'm scared the anxiety and racing thoughts will be harmful to the baby. Please if anyone can tell me are these meds safe and what can i change to to manage my symptoms???!!!! Thank you so much, i'm so glad i found this website jenna

Hia jenna, hope you're hanging in there. I've been rooting for you and hoping to hear how things go along the way.

Having your background, I imagine you know that PTSD can manifest as schizo also. That was just a thought I had, because of when it all started with the cancer and chemo and PTSD is from a "life threatening experience".

Anyway, about which drugs are safe, I can only think of three places to answer that. 1 would be a Google search, typing in the drug name and "pregnancy" and 2 would be your Dr. and 3 would be your Pharmacist/Chemist.

I know the answers out there, and I'm wanting very much to Congratulate you on your pregnancy.

So few drugs makers will write into their postscripts that it is safe to take any drugs while pregnant in fear of lawsuits if there is anything wrong with a baby, it may not have been from the drug, but they have to cover themselves ... but back 30 something years ago, my Dr. gave me valium to take while I was pregnant with my daughter. I had anxiety.

So, ask your Dr. first and do whatever other research on your own in the meantime. Your Dr. should know best, because he's afraid of lawsuits even more than the drug makers. So that should comfort you if in whatever he prescribes. But be sure to stress that it is the Anxiety that is the worst part ... because anxiety comes first and then triggers the chemicals that cause the other stuff.

All the best to you and you and baby will stay in my prayers.

Ann

LateNeuroLyme + CFIDS = Lord knows what.

Romans 8:28 ~ And we know that ALL things work together for the Good, Y

for them that Love God, for them who are the called according to His purpose.

Hi Jenna, I wanted to welcome you to healing well forum. Congratulations on your pregnancy. I agree with Ann about either checking with the pharmacist or your doctor. In retrospect the prescribing physician would most likely be the best bet as they are going to want to know if you are continuing the medications, or they could switch you to something that is safer. I have spent many years working in the mental health field and have and have only come across pregnancy in our clients a hand full of times. Generally, physicians will take the patient off everything for the first trimester then if there is continuing problems they can reevaluate and add back medications there after. Good luck......

Check with doctor is a must as the issues are complicated. Remember that when drugs are researched for effects on pregnancy frequently this does not investigate its use with other drugs so the comments that follow bare this caveat. Furthermore when discussing your drugs with your doctor also ask him about the effect on pregnancy on the drugs. Sometimes pregnancy can mean a need to not only reduce dosages but also up them because your physiology changes during pregnancy.

According to a drugs compendium I have, the label warnings pertaining to pregnancy/babies and the drugs are as follows :

Lamictal

Pediatric (Use in babies)Absolute Contraindication: MAY CAUSE LIFE THREATENING RASH IN CHILDREN UNDER 16 YRS.

Form the patient Info sheet (which should come with your tabs) we have :

Seroquel

"This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. "

Lamictal

"This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This drug may pass into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. "

THE DATASHEETS

You can look at the following sheets and use search in your browser to find references to pregnancy

The datasheet for Lamictal is a this link http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/Datasheet/l/Lamictalchewtab.htm

The Datasheet for Seroquel is at this link http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/Datasheet/s/seroqueltab.htm